F1: Fernando Alonso’s podium reinstated in wacky scenes at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix

The Spaniard, who had briefly led the race, was given a five-second penalty for an incorrect starting position, which he served when teammate Lance Stroll retired from the race on lap 18.

The 41-year-old took to the podium to celebrate finishing third behind the dominating Red Bulls of race winner Sergio Perez and Max Verstappen.

But he was then almost immediately slapped with the extra time penalty when the race stewards decided he had failed to carry out the previous penalty correctly.

It turned out to be a bitter end to the weekend after jubilant scenes in the Aston Martin garage as Alonso described his frustration.

“It doesn’t hurt much to be honest, I was on the podium, I took the pictures, I held the trophy, I celebrated with champagne but apparently I’m three points down.

“I think the FIA ​​failed today, more than a disappointment on our part. You cannot apply a penalty 35 laps after the pit stop. They had enough time to inform us of the penalty.

“Maybe if I knew I would open 11 seconds on the car behind. Today we didn’t put on a good show for the fans.

However, another post-race revision promulgated by Aston resulted in Alonso being reinstated in third place ahead of George Russell.

Russell had said: “I think the penalty for Fernando is quite severe, they are the winners of the podium today.”